Cllifford Chance appoints learning and development partner

Clifford Chance has appointed its first global learning and development partner in a bid to develop and streamline the firm's legal and business services training programmes.

Former private equity partner Julia Clarke has been appointed to the role. She will be responsible for the development of legal and business skills training for fee-earners and business skills training for business services staff.

Previously, Clarke was the partner in charge of graduate recruitment in London, a role she held for five years. She will be replaced in that position by London finance partner Lynn Johansen.

Clarke said Clifford Chance already offered comprehensive training to the firm's fee-earners in London, but added that her role aimed to ensure "consistency of training opportunities" globally.

Clarke explained that she would also be looking to "build a more developed training curriculum" for Clifford Chance's business services staff.

Recent training activity at the firm has included a pilot of a training course for 20 of the firm's business services managers covering three modules of an MBA from the Said Business School.

Clarke's responsibilities will also include the ongoing development of the firm's e-learning tools and initiatives such as the CC Academy based in Amsterdam.